To view the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h3EHsoM6oGA
SHOW NOTES
On today's episode of the Hope Rescue Podcast, Tim and Kimberly begin their series on “Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People?” We have probably all wondered this question at some point in our lives, and Tim and Kimberly approach this topic by providing us with ten myths about why bad things happen to good people. In this first episode of this three-part series, they share with us the first three myths.
Tim starts by recommending the C.S. Lewis book The Problem of Pain, which answers the question, why does God allow his people to suffer if he is good and all-powerful? The question of "Why do bad things happen to good people?" is many people's reason for not believing in God. Some individuals cannot fathom a God that would allow suffering in the world, such as war, starving children, natural disasters, etc. If we go to the scripture though, we can really dive into this topic and find out why there is suffering in the world. Tim mentions Psalm 77 where Asaph is going through a hard season and starting to question the goodness of God. Psalm 77:7-9 says “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Instead of focusing on his own feelings though, Asaph chose to turn towards God. Asaph chooses to remember the good things the Lord has done. For example, in verses 11-15 Asaph says, "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.” We can learn from Asaph to turn to God when we face suffering and hardship in our lives. He teaches us to remember all the good the Lord has done, and as we remember we will be filled with comfort, peace, and joy.
Tim goes on to list the first myth about why bad things happen to good people:
Myth #1: People are basically good and deserve to be free from pain.
The myth that "people are basically good and deserve to be free from pain" not only ignores what God has said about us but also ignores the reality of who we are. Kimberly quotes three different scriptures to emphasize this reality: Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”, Romans 3:10: “as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one,” and Psalm 14:3: "They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.”
Myth #2: God is responsible for pain.
Tim explains that one of the main reasons people do not believe in God is because if there is a sovereign God who allows pain, suffering, and evil, then God must be responsible. If not, then why wouldn’t He do anything to stop it? God did not create evil, and God did not create sin. He created free-will. God created an opportunity for Man to obey or disobey Him. Sin, suffering, sickness, and evil are man's fault, not God's.
Myth #3: God will only allow bad people to experience pain.
Tim calls the book of Job one of the best passages on human suffering. Job 1:1 says, “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” Job was living a life of relative goodness. He wasn't sinless, but he was a good man. We will continue to discuss the book of Job in the next few podcasts as well. Job 42:7 says, "After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” Through his suffering, Job learned the meaning of life. Tim states, “Human suffering drives us to pursue God, seek His face, and strive to be intimate with Him.”
Join us next week for part 2 of our series “Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People?” We love you guys!
QUOTES
“Faith is what anchors us when we are suffering and reminds us that when God is with us, there is purpose in the suffering.” -Kimberly
“God doesn't grade on a curve; He grades on His absolute righteousness, and everybody falls short of that which is why we need Jesus Christ as our savior.” -Tim
“Human suffering drives us to pursue God, seek His face, and strive to be intimate with Him.” -Tim
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
Psalm 77:7-9: “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”
Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
Romans 3:10: “as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one”
Psalm 14:3: "They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one."
Job 1:1: “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.”
Job 42:7: "After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis: https://www.amazon.com/Problem-Pain-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652969/ref=asc_df_0060652969/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312721175982&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1771949204048478727&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061183&hvtargid=pla-436648781428&psc=1
